Exclusion of Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Emergency Department Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing CT to Assess for Pulmonary Embolus: A Feasibility Study

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Left Atrial Appendage Thrombosis

In brief

This study aims to investigate whether a quick, additional CT scan of the heart, performed immediately after a standard CT scan for pulmonary embolism, can effectively detect blood clots in the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with atrial fibrillation. Detecting these clots is crucial before certain heart procedures to prevent stroke. Currently, a different, more involved procedure (Transesophageal Echocardiography - TEE) is often used. This study will assess if this additional CT scan is feasible, meaning if it can provide clear enough images to identify LAA clots without needing more contrast dye. The study will involve 60 patients, half receiving an "ungated" CT scan and the other half a "gated" CT scan (timed with their heart rhythm). The results of these scans will not be used for immediate patient care during the study, but rather to evaluate the CT scan technique itself. There is no direct benefit to participants, but the information gained could lead to faster diagnosis and reduced unnecessary testing for future patients.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07647939

Run by

Northwell Health

People needed

60

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2027-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patients above 18 years of age years deemed candidates for CT angiography for pulmonary embolism by the primary team on clinical grounds and noted to be in atrial fibrillation at the time.
• Room air oxygen saturation above 92%
• Systolic blood pressure above 100 mm Hg
• Respiratory rate less than 24 breaths/min

You may not qualify if…

• Inability to personally give informed consent
• Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
• Stroke like symptoms
• ECG criteria for ischemia or infarction
• Heart rate <40 or > 120 bpm (inclusive) or 3rd degree heart block
• Unable to lie flat for at least 10 minutes
• Unable to follow simple commands
• Northwell Health Employees.
• Non-English-speaking patients

Where it is running

• North Shore University Hospital — Manhasset, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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